Pharmacists to Lawmakers: “If all patients don't benefit … it's not real reform.”
Arlington, VA – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today launched a new broadcast and digital advertising campaign to stress the need for true reform of pharmaceutical benefit manager (PBM) tactics — so that Americans may benefit from lower drug prices and access to medications and to pharmacies. NACDS is emphasizing the particular focus that federal reform efforts must bring to protecting Americans on Medicare and Medicaid.
“People must be at the center of care,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Americans should be able to go to any pharmacy and have access to their medicines at an affordable price. PBM reform is needed now, and any proposed PBM legislation that does not include Americans served through Medicare and Medicaid – and their pharmacies – is not real reform.”
PBMs control Americans’ access to often life-saving medications and they increase costs. Unpredictable and irrational “DIR fees” imposed on pharmacies have skyrocketed 107,400% over the past decade. Further, from 2014-2022, 1,357 medications were excluded from at least one PBM formulary for at least one year. The result is higher cost medications and less choice for patients.
“Pharmaceutical benefit manipulation” harms patients and pharmacies by driving up prices, limiting access to certain medications, and forcing pharmacies that serve their communities to close, especially in rural and underserved communities.
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